276 The Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting. 
for their climb, as they looked baek over the vale of the Deverells, 
forward over a vast expanse of the county of Dorset, stretched like 
a map below; to the right over the swelling downs, here and there 
capped by plantations : and to the left to the ridge crowned by the 
town of Shaftesbury, A halt midway across the downs, and a 
saunter across the grass, to visit an old Roman camp, was a pleasant 
diversion ; and then the cavalcade of breaks and carriages descended 
by the steepest of hills to Mere, making a short detour, however, 
on the way, to visit an old farm-house, called the ‘“ Woodlands,” 
which was once an old manor-house. Here the archeologists were 
kindly permitted to wander at will; and upstairs, downstairs—now 
into the cellar below, to see an old archway, now to the cheese-room 
at the top, which was formerly the chapel—they followed one another 
till the house overflowed. At length the Secretary’s whistle re- 
called them to the carriages, when they retraced their steps to Mere ; 
and here, under the guidance of the Vicar, the Rev. C. H. Townsend, 
the fine old Church was inspected, and Mr. Talbot invited attention 
to many details of architectural and antiquarian interest.1 Hasty 
visits were then paid to the old Chantry House, by permission of 
Dr. Watson; and to a fine old barn on the north of the Church, 
with Perpendicular roof, mullioned window, and Gothic fire-places, 
on one of which certain sacred emblems and monograms proclaimed 
it to be an ecclesiastical building. 
From Mere the archzologists drove to Zeals House, the delight- 
ful residence of Miss Chafyn Grove, who cordially welcomed her 
numerous visitors, and right hospitably entertained them with a 
substantial luncheon, of which they partook in relays, while the 
remainder wandered over the house and grounds, visiting the room 
in which Charles II. slept for one night, when in concealment, and 
gazing on the relics and heirlooms in the family of Grove, descended 
from the famous cavalier of that name, who honourably lost his life 
for his loyalty. After a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Chafyn Grove, 
for her very liberal hospitality, which was proposed in suitable terms 
? See notes of Churches visited during the excursions of the Society, by Mr. 
Talbot. 
